Texans at Broncos: John McClain's scouting report

Improved offensive line play has helped in Deshaun Watson having to throw fewer passes, and fewer interceptions, in recent weeks.

Photo: Brett Coomer/Staff photographer

DENVER — A closer look at the matchups in Sunday's Texans-Broncos game at Broncos Stadium at Mile High.

When the Broncos runs

Even though coach Vance Joseph is a former defensive coach, his philosophy is the same as his predecessors, take advantage of the zone blocking scheme to run the ball as much as possible and as effectively as possible. The Broncos are seventh in rushing (133.1 yards), and their 5.3-yard average per carry is outstanding. They have run for nine touchdowns, and the Texans have allowed two. Phillip Lindsay, a rookie from Colorado who signed as an undrafted free agent, has come off the bench to lead the team with 531 yards, including a 5.7 average. He's scored three touchdowns. The Texans have been superb against the run, ranking seventh (95.1 yards). During their five-game winning streak, the Texans have surrendered only 59.8 yards rushing. Nose tackle D.J. Reader, outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney and inside linebacker Benardrick McKinney have excelled against the run. EDGE: Broncos

When the Broncos pass

In his first season as the starter, Case Keenum has thrown 10 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions. His rating is 83.0, and he's been sacked 22 times. The Broncos are 20th in passing (247.6 yards). Keenum is sixth with a ranking of 105.7 when he throws outside the pocket. That means the Broncos will try to keep him on the move. The Texans hope to keep him in the pocket, where J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney can get after him before he throws the ball. The Texans are 12th against the pass (239.8 yards). Keenum's favorite target is Emanuel Sanders (50 catches, 660 yards, 3 touchdowns). Rookie Courtland Sutton moves into the starting lineup in place of Demaryius Thomas, who was traded to the Texans earlier this week. Sutton has 17 catches for 324 yards (19.1 average) and two touchdowns. Sanders and Sutton are native Texans who played at SMU. Sanders is from Bellville and Sutton from Brenham. EDGE: Texans

Lamar Miller has back-to-back games of at least 100 yards for the first time since 2015 when he played for Miami. He's never had three 100-yard games in succession. The offensive line's run blocking has improved in recent games, and Miller has taken advantage. The Texans are 11th in rushing (123 yards). Bill O'Brien calls the plays, and he loves to run Miller on first down. If Deshaun Watson has an incompletion on first down, O'Brien usually comes back to Miller. The Broncos are 27th against the run (135.8 yards). They allow 5.1 yards a carry. They've surrendered eight rushing touchdowns. Expect them to focus on stopping the run because they've been so bad at it. If the Texans can run consistently, it'll take pressure off Watson and give them their best chance to win a sixth consecutive game. EDGE: Texans

When the Texans pass

This is new receiver Demaryius Thomas' homecoming. The Broncos are honoring their former wideout at the game. He got a crash course in the Texans' offense last week and will have a package just for him. He should start opposite DeAndre Hopkins, who's playing better than any receiver in the league. Deshaun Watson has thrown fewer passes in each of his past four games. The less he throws, the less he's subjected to getting hit and sacked. That also reduces his chances of throwing interceptions. Watson was exceptional in the last game, a 42-23 victory over Miami. He threw five touchdown passes and four incompletions. He threw only 20 times. He wasn't sacked for the first time in his career. He was hit once. If the pass protection holds up against outside linebackers Von Miller and Bradley Chubb, who have combined for 15 sacks, the Texans have a good chance to win. If they can't protect Watson and he takes another beating, the Broncos are probably going to win. The Texans are 18th in passing (256 yards), and the Broncos are 11th against the pass (237.5). If Chris Harris can cover Hopkins, Watson will have to spread the ball to other receivers like Thomas. EDGE: Broncos

John McClain, a Waco native who graduated from Baylor in 1975, is in his 43rd year at the Houston Chronicle and his 40th covering the National Football League, including the Oilers and Texans. He worked for the Waco Tribune Herald from 1973-76, when he accepted a job with the Chronicle. to cover the original Houston Aeros of the World Hockey Association.

McClain has a plaque in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio as the 2006 winner of the Dick McCann Memorial Award presented annually by the Pro Football Writers of America to a writer for his long and distinguished coverage of the NFL. He is past president of the Pro Football Writers of America.

He's a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee, the Pro Football Hall of Fame Seniors Committee and the Texas Sports Hall of Fame Selection Committee.

In 2015, he was named as a Gridiron Legend in Texas, becoming the third member of the media behind Dave Campbell and Mickey Herskowitz.

McClain can be heard six times a week on the Texans' flagship station Sports Radio 610 in Houston. He also does weekly sports talk shows in Nashville, Knoxville, Waco, Austin and San Antonio.

McClain also has appeared in eight movies: The Rookie, The Longest Yard, Spring Breakers, Secretariat, Invincible, Cook County, The Game Plan and Make It Rain.